Jobs at Big White

Our Mission

To go the extra mile… It is hard to understand all our guests' expectations, but we always know if we are going above and beyond or going the extra mile to help someone. Whether it is walking a customer to the washrooms or quickly taking one last critical look at a room before a customer arrives just to make sure it is perfect.

Visitors enjoy a memorable alpine experience… Visitors are customers, they are guests, they are familiarization tours, they are our staff, they are anybody that takes the time to drive up to the resort. They all deserve to have a memorable experience, whether they are looking to ski, board, party or just have Christmas with their grandchildren.

Positive Environment… We need to maintain an environment where not only are customers happy to stay around just a little longer, but also our staff are happy, both seasonal and year round. Sometimes it is hard to be positive when things are going wrong, but if we can find the positive and still be helpful to each other and our customers, we create a positive workplace and positive place to vacation.

Safe Environment… Safety is a priority of our company. Snow sports have a perception of risk that is far higher that the actual risk. There is no doubt that this affects the amount of people that return to the sport. Safety of everyone at our resort is REALLY important!

Friendly Environment… The last part of this is something we hear over and over again. The friendliness of Big White staff is second to none. We know this is why people return to our mountain again and again, and we think it is a great thing to be listed as a core value.

1.Follow the links to our Current Job PostingsJob postings are updated regularly, with most positions going up in August & September for the following Winter season. Apply as soon as you see a job you are interested in to avoid disappointment. Big White welcomes diversity in the workplace.

2.Read through the descriptions and choose the ones that look like a good match to your skills and personality. Remember that a commitment to guest service and a welcoming smile are the cornerstones of every job.

3.When you have selected the jobs that interest you go to the online application form. Please give us all the information that you think we need to understand what a great applicant you really are! You must apply for each job separately that you are interested in.

4.We will contact all applicants who are selected to schedule a Skype interview or an in-person job interview. If you apply early in the summer months, please be prepared for a little wait while our managers and supervisors review the many applications that come in.

Big White will be hosting a drop-in job fair day on November 7th. Stop by the Happy Valley Day Lodge from 11am-3pm. Many departments will be hired but there will be a few hiring managers available for interviews.

Departments confirmed for interviews:

Hotels-housekeeping

Condo-Housekeeping

Retail

Lift Operations

*Please note that when job descriptions ask for specific experience or qualifications you must have those requirements to be considered for that specific job.

All successful job applicants will be asked to sign a Criminal Record Check Consent Form.

Overseas Working Holiday Clubs & Agencies

There are many legitimate agencies that help overseas workers gain employment in Canada. Unfortunately there are some companies that don’t deliver on their promises. All applicants applying for our advertised positions have an equal chance for hire, regardless of the source of their application. We do require all potential employees to complete the online application.

Applicants using these types of search firms to assist them in securing employment are strongly encouraged to do their due diligence and research prior to signing agreements or paying fees. If you are dealing with a company that implies a partnership with Big White Ski Resort please feel free to contact us to confirm.

Winter Overseas Recruitment: If you are from Australia, we will do some early recruitment through The Working Holiday Club in June and IEP in August for some positions. If you are from New Zealand, we will do some early recruitment through IEP in August for some positions. If you are from the UK, you can contact BUNAC for recruitment in july. Each agency will have different positions so please inquire with the agencies to see what positions are available.

Applicants are not required to use an agency and may apply directly on our website.

Big White Ski Resort is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes foreign applicants and diverse cultures. All of our employees must have a competent grasp of the English language and be able to communicate clearly with co-workers and guests.

FREE Season Pass

Employees are eligible to receive a season pass for unlimited skiing and riding!

50% Off Private Lessons & FREE Group Lessons

What's the point of living and working at a ski resort and never hitting the slopes? Free group lessons are subject to space and availability and must be booked in advance, joining an existing group.

40% Off Rentals & 25% Off Repairs

Ski and snowboard equipment rentals are offered to all staff. Ask our staff members in the Rental Shop about our great equipment.

15% Off Retail & 10% Off Hard Goods

Discounts are available at Altitude, Dizzy's, The Rider and Mountainside Gift Shop in the Village Centre. All Big White Ski Resort Ltd employees receive a 25% discount on regularly priced merchandise through resort-owned retail stores until December 15th, on weekdays only. This is an excellent way to set yourself up with boards, skis, boots, jackets, pants, apparel etc for a great price. When buying on the hill you know you’re getting product that work for our conditions to insure the best experience. We have an annual Staff Sale mid-November where product from previous seasons are available up to 70% off! Check with your Manager for the date and be sure not to miss it. We will also be selling ex-rental skis and boards at very inexpensive prices prior to the season. The Rider Snowboard Shop and Dizzy’s Ski Shop will be open for our staff from mid-November.

On a cautionary note be wary of buying equipment in the cities or online, particularly ski or snowboard boots, as sizing is critical to your ski/board experience. We will have Masterfit University Certified Bootfitters who specialize in ski and snowboard bootfitting available through November. Our hardgoods staff at Big White will ensure you get the right product in the correct size and can take care of warranty issues with loan equipment should the need arise.

Spas

Elevation Day Spa offers discounts for employees up to 50% off. Please call for details and reservations.
Located in the Village Centre Mall & The Chateau Big White.

Adventure Activities

From dog sledding and snowmobiling to ice climbing and horse drawn sleigh rides Big White employees receive discounts on Adventure Activities on the mountain. Some restrictions apply, contact the Concierge Desk for details.

Food & Beverage

We offer 50% off our regular prices at our very own Happy Valley Day Lodge (Moose Lounge, Sk8ers & the cafeteria), the Black Forest Day Lodge and the Moonlight Bistro at Gem Lake. We offer lots of other daily deals, including our famous Sunday Night Specials, so please make Happy Valley your home. You can also receive a 20% discount for fine dining at the Kettle Valley Steakhouse. The Woods & Clock Tower Coffee also offers a 10% discount to Big White employees. These discounts will apply whether you are on-duty or enjoying a day off so bring your staff pass with your whenever you go out.

Many other restaurants and services at Big White will offer discounts to you so please inquire at the individual establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do seasonal employment positions start? Our season kicks off from the end of November with a closing date in mid-April. Start dates vary depending on the position you have applied for but typically begin one or two weeks prior to winter operations starting.

When do online applications need to be submitted? Positions for the following winter season will get posted in June through September. Please submit your online application as soon as you see a position you are interested in to avoid disappointment. Once the position has been filled, it will be taken down. If you require a work visa to work in Canada, make sure you apply for your visa before applying for any positions. Once you’ve applied, the hiring manager will review the application and contact you to schedule a Skype interview or an in-person interview.

What else should I know about working at Big White Ski Resort? Come prepared! Mother Nature is unpredictable, so winter positions may not start until late November and some do not start until mid December. We recommend that you come to Big White with approximately $3,000 (CDN) to ensure that you will be able to pay rent, damage deposit, groceries, telephone, transportation and entertainment until you are gainfully employed. We highly recommend you open a bank account with Bank of Montreal as it is the easiest bank for our employees to deal with.

How do I get from Kelowna Airport or Downtown Kelowna to Big White? We offer a shuttle from Kelowna Airport and the Greyhound Bus Station that will bring you directly to the mountain once the resort is open for the season, click here for more information. You can also check the "Official Big White Group" on Facebook for ride sharing prior to the resort opening.

How can I find a hostel in Kelowna or Big White when I get there? It's a good idea to make reservations in advance as the hostels fill up quickly.

I'm not from Canada. How do I obtain a work permit? To apply for your Canadian Work Permit, you must contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your country. For more information on which countries qualify please review the International Experience Canada List. Please remember that the application process can take several months.

I am applying for my work permit and have been told that I need a letter of offer to obtain the permit. Can Big White do this for me? Big White Ski Resort CANNOT give letters of offer to foreign workers who require such an offer to apply for their permit to come to Canada. You must apply for a Working Holiday Permit/Visa. This permit/visa does not require you to have arranged employment before entering Canada.

How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? You should immediately apply for your Canadian Social Insurance Number upon your arrival in Canada. You can apply from your home country but it involves a lengthy process. To find the closest Human Resources Department of Canada office when you arrive in Canada and to understand the application process, go to: http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca.

Do I need Travel Insurance? If you are travelling overseas, you shouldn’t even think twice about getting travel insurance. Although it is not mandatory, Big White highly recommends you set something up before coming. If you get sick or hurt, you won’t want to be without it!
Read the fine print of the travel insurance policy to see what is covered and what is not and to be sure it meets your needs. Make sure skiing, snowboarding and any non-standard sports you intend to try are covered under your insurance.
Emergency Medical coverage should definitely be included. An overnight visit to the Kelowna General Hospital will cost you at least $4,500 without insurance!
Understand what would cause your policy to be rendered void; such as an accident that occurs while under the influence of alcohol. Some Insurers may also have the right to withdraw cover if you have an accident when failing to follow local rules.
Always keep the Insurance Company phone number and policy number at hand in case there is an emergency.

When and how do I get my tax forms? The Canadian tax year is January 1st to December 31st. Income tax forms are called T4’s and are sent out via email by February 28th for the prior calendar year. The email address used is the same as where your weekly pay slips were sent while you were working. If you wish to change this address please send your new information to payroll@bigwhite.com before February 15th.

Our Mission

To go the extra mile… It is hard to understand all our guests' expectations, but we always know if we are going above and beyond or going the extra mile to help someone. Whether it is walking a customer to the washrooms or quickly taking one last critical look at a room before a customer arrives just to make sure it is perfect.

Visitors enjoy a memorable alpine experience… Visitors are customers, they are guests, they are familiarization tours, they are our staff, they are anybody that takes the time to drive up to the resort. They all deserve to have a memorable experience, whether they are looking to ski, board, party or just have Christmas with their grandchildren.

Positive Environment… We need to maintain an environment where not only are customers happy to stay around just a little longer, but also our staff are happy, both seasonal and year round. Sometimes it is hard to be positive when things are going wrong, but if we can find the positive and still be helpful to each other and our customers, we create a positive workplace and positive place to vacation.

Safe Environment… Safety is a priority of our company. Snow sports have a perception of risk that is far higher that the actual risk. There is no doubt that this affects the amount of people that return to the sport. Safety of everyone at our resort is REALLY important!

Friendly Environment… The last part of this is something we hear over and over again. The friendliness of Big White staff is second to none. We know this is why people return to our mountain again and again, and we think it is a great thing to be listed as a core value.

We know that people are our greatest asset. We are always looking for creative and talented individuals who are looking forward to exciting challenges.

Before applying for a position with Big White we ask that you be aware of the following:

1. You must be legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e. have a valid work permit, permanent residency or Canadian citizenship)

3. You can apply for multiple positions at a time (this is not mandatory). However, you will only be considered for one position at a time.

4. All successful job applicants will be asked to sign a Criminal Record Check Consent Form.

5. Due to the large volume of applications hiring managers only contact those applicants successful for interview.

6. If you have any employment or recruitment related questions/inquiries, or are experiencing any problems applying online, please contact hr@bigwhite.com.

We prefer that all applications and resume submissions be made through our online employment center.

1.Follow the links to our Current Job PostingsJob postings are updated regularly, with most positions going up in August & September for the following Winter season. Apply as soon as you see a job you are interested in to avoid disappointment. Big White welcomes diversity in the workplace.

2.Read through the descriptions and choose the ones that look like a good match to your skills and personality. Remember that a commitment to guest service and a welcoming smile are the cornerstones of every job.

3.When you have selected the jobs that interest you go to the online application form. Please give us all the information that you think we need to understand what a great applicant you really are! You must apply for each job separately that you are interested in.

4.We will contact all applicants who are selected to schedule a Skype interview or an in-person job interview. If you apply early in the summer months, please be prepared for a little wait while our managers and supervisors review the many applications that come in.

Big White will be hosting a drop-in job fair day on November 7th. Stop by the Happy Valley Day Lodge from 11am-3pm. Many departments will be hired but there will be a few hiring managers available for interviews.

Departments confirmed for interviews:

Hotels-housekeeping

Condo-Housekeeping

Retail

Lift Operations

*Please note that when job descriptions ask for specific experience or qualifications you must have those requirements to be considered for that specific job.

All successful job applicants will be asked to sign a Criminal Record Check Consent Form.

Overseas Working Holiday Clubs & Agencies

There are many legitimate agencies that help overseas workers gain employment in Canada. Unfortunately there are some companies that don’t deliver on their promises. All applicants applying for our advertised positions have an equal chance for hire, regardless of the source of their application. We do require all potential employees to complete the online application.

Applicants using these types of search firms to assist them in securing employment are strongly encouraged to do their due diligence and research prior to signing agreements or paying fees. If you are dealing with a company that implies a partnership with Big White Ski Resort please feel free to contact us to confirm.

Winter Overseas Recruitment: If you are from Australia, we will do some early recruitment through The Working Holiday Club in June and IEP in August for some positions. If you are from New Zealand, we will do some early recruitment through IEP in August for some positions. If you are from the UK, you can contact BUNAC for recruitment in july. Each agency will have different positions so please inquire with the agencies to see what positions are available.

Applicants are not required to use an agency and may apply directly on our website.

Big White Ski Resort is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes foreign applicants and diverse cultures. All of our employees must have a competent grasp of the English language and be able to communicate clearly with co-workers and guests.

Check out some of our fantastic departments in action and get a glimpse into a day in the life on the mountain.

FREE Season Pass

Employees are eligible to receive a season pass for unlimited skiing and riding!

50% Off Private Lessons & FREE Group Lessons

What's the point of living and working at a ski resort and never hitting the slopes? Free group lessons are subject to space and availability and must be booked in advance, joining an existing group.

40% Off Rentals & 25% Off Repairs

Ski and snowboard equipment rentals are offered to all staff. Ask our staff members in the Rental Shop about our great equipment.

15% Off Retail & 10% Off Hard Goods

Discounts are available at Altitude, Dizzy's, The Rider and Mountainside Gift Shop in the Village Centre. All Big White Ski Resort Ltd employees receive a 25% discount on regularly priced merchandise through resort-owned retail stores until December 15th, on weekdays only. This is an excellent way to set yourself up with boards, skis, boots, jackets, pants, apparel etc for a great price. When buying on the hill you know you’re getting product that work for our conditions to insure the best experience. We have an annual Staff Sale mid-November where product from previous seasons are available up to 70% off! Check with your Manager for the date and be sure not to miss it. We will also be selling ex-rental skis and boards at very inexpensive prices prior to the season. The Rider Snowboard Shop and Dizzy’s Ski Shop will be open for our staff from mid-November.

On a cautionary note be wary of buying equipment in the cities or online, particularly ski or snowboard boots, as sizing is critical to your ski/board experience. We will have Masterfit University Certified Bootfitters who specialize in ski and snowboard bootfitting available through November. Our hardgoods staff at Big White will ensure you get the right product in the correct size and can take care of warranty issues with loan equipment should the need arise.

Spas

Elevation Day Spa offers discounts for employees up to 50% off. Please call for details and reservations.
Located in the Village Centre Mall & The Chateau Big White.

Adventure Activities

From dog sledding and snowmobiling to ice climbing and horse drawn sleigh rides Big White employees receive discounts on Adventure Activities on the mountain. Some restrictions apply, contact the Concierge Desk for details.

Food & Beverage

We offer 50% off our regular prices at our very own Happy Valley Day Lodge (Moose Lounge, Sk8ers & the cafeteria), the Black Forest Day Lodge and the Moonlight Bistro at Gem Lake. We offer lots of other daily deals, including our famous Sunday Night Specials, so please make Happy Valley your home. You can also receive a 20% discount for fine dining at the Kettle Valley Steakhouse. The Woods & Clock Tower Coffee also offers a 10% discount to Big White employees. These discounts will apply whether you are on-duty or enjoying a day off so bring your staff pass with your whenever you go out.

Many other restaurants and services at Big White will offer discounts to you so please inquire at the individual establishments.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do seasonal employment positions start? Our season kicks off from the end of November with a closing date in mid-April. Start dates vary depending on the position you have applied for but typically begin one or two weeks prior to winter operations starting.

When do online applications need to be submitted? Positions for the following winter season will get posted in June through September. Please submit your online application as soon as you see a position you are interested in to avoid disappointment. Once the position has been filled, it will be taken down. If you require a work visa to work in Canada, make sure you apply for your visa before applying for any positions. Once you’ve applied, the hiring manager will review the application and contact you to schedule a Skype interview or an in-person interview.

What else should I know about working at Big White Ski Resort? Come prepared! Mother Nature is unpredictable, so winter positions may not start until late November and some do not start until mid December. We recommend that you come to Big White with approximately $3,000 (CDN) to ensure that you will be able to pay rent, damage deposit, groceries, telephone, transportation and entertainment until you are gainfully employed. We highly recommend you open a bank account with Bank of Montreal as it is the easiest bank for our employees to deal with.

How do I get from Kelowna Airport or Downtown Kelowna to Big White? We offer a shuttle from Kelowna Airport and the Greyhound Bus Station that will bring you directly to the mountain once the resort is open for the season, click here for more information. You can also check the "Official Big White Group" on Facebook for ride sharing prior to the resort opening.

How can I find a hostel in Kelowna or Big White when I get there? It's a good idea to make reservations in advance as the hostels fill up quickly.

I'm not from Canada. How do I obtain a work permit? To apply for your Canadian Work Permit, you must contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your country. For more information on which countries qualify please review the International Experience Canada List. Please remember that the application process can take several months.

I am applying for my work permit and have been told that I need a letter of offer to obtain the permit. Can Big White do this for me? Big White Ski Resort CANNOT give letters of offer to foreign workers who require such an offer to apply for their permit to come to Canada. You must apply for a Working Holiday Permit/Visa. This permit/visa does not require you to have arranged employment before entering Canada.

How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)? You should immediately apply for your Canadian Social Insurance Number upon your arrival in Canada. You can apply from your home country but it involves a lengthy process. To find the closest Human Resources Department of Canada office when you arrive in Canada and to understand the application process, go to: http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca.

Do I need Travel Insurance? If you are travelling overseas, you shouldn’t even think twice about getting travel insurance. Although it is not mandatory, Big White highly recommends you set something up before coming. If you get sick or hurt, you won’t want to be without it!
Read the fine print of the travel insurance policy to see what is covered and what is not and to be sure it meets your needs. Make sure skiing, snowboarding and any non-standard sports you intend to try are covered under your insurance.
Emergency Medical coverage should definitely be included. An overnight visit to the Kelowna General Hospital will cost you at least $4,500 without insurance!
Understand what would cause your policy to be rendered void; such as an accident that occurs while under the influence of alcohol. Some Insurers may also have the right to withdraw cover if you have an accident when failing to follow local rules.
Always keep the Insurance Company phone number and policy number at hand in case there is an emergency.

When and how do I get my tax forms? The Canadian tax year is January 1st to December 31st. Income tax forms are called T4’s and are sent out via email by February 28th for the prior calendar year. The email address used is the same as where your weekly pay slips were sent while you were working. If you wish to change this address please send your new information to payroll@bigwhite.com before February 15th.